ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 215 
me if I would resume — I think that was the word used — 
and I said I should be very happy to do so, but now the 
import of what was said, which induced me to resume, has 
been changed. 
The Secretary read a copy of the shorthand writer’s notes 
relating to this subject. 
Professor Brown . — You have now the whole case before 
you sufficiently to enable you to form some judgment of the 
state of affairs. It is quite evident that the President re- 
signed in consequence of feeling himself insulted by a mem- 
ber of the Council ; it is also evident, and can be proved by 
the shorthand writer’s note if any of you wish it, that the 
gentleman who was supposed to have conveyed the insult 
afterwards said, “ I am quite willing to say to you that I 
never had the slightest intention of giving you any personal 
offence in any way or shape ; and if you feel I have given 
you that personal offence, I shall be only too happy to make 
matters all right.” It is added, ee The President accepted 
the apology,” and I believe we all left with the understand- 
ing that we retained our President. On the slips containing 
these notes being sent to the member of the Council who is 
accused of having given the insult, he struck out the state- 
ment, “ If you feel I have given you that personal offence I 
shall be only too happy to make matters all right,” and wrote 
at the bottom, “ I made no apology; it was an explanation.” 
I place the matter before you as it appears ; I know nothing 
about it personally ; hut in any case you will permit me to 
suggest that we cannot afford to lose our President upon any 
ground of this kind. It is now open for you to discuss the 
matter in any way you please. 
Mr. Robinson thought the word “ apology” ought not to 
have been used in the report, as what was said was really an 
explanation, but as full and complimentary as one man could 
give to another. He therefore moved, “ That Mr. Wilkinson 
he requested by this Council to withdraw his resignation.” 
Mr. Silvester supported the motion, and expressed a hope 
that no more would be heard of the matter. 
Mr. Greaves , in seconding the resolution, said the Council 
ought to consider whether the matter should be allowed to 
end without their expressing some censure, or at least an 
opinion that such things ought to be avoided in future. The 
President was elected unanimously by the Council, and the 
whole country approved of the act ; and it was, therefore, 
greatly to be desired that he would feel it his duty to with- 
draw his resignation, so that he might assist in carrying out 
those important measures which the Council had in hand. 
